Sunday, June 29, 2008

Officer Arrested On Suspicion Of Shooting Man In Bar Fight

PITTSBURGH, Pa.

Police responded to the corner of 20th and Sidney streets at approximately 2:15 a.m. Saturday morning for the report of a man with a gun.

When they arrived at the scene, police discovered that officer Paul Abel had shot a 20-year-old male inside a bar at that location.

The police report states that Abel was driving home from a South Side bar when an unknown man reached into his driver's side window and punched him in the face.

Following this, Abel retrieved his pistol and returned to the bar to confront his attacker. With the gun in his hand, Abel swung at the victim and hit the back of his head with the butt of the weapon. The gun discharged upon contact and a bullet penetrated the victim's right hand. He was taken to Mercy Hospital for his injury.

Abel was arrested for aggravated assault and was also charged with DUI when it was discovered that his blood-alcohol content was above the legal limit.

Abel has been suspended while detectives investigate the matter.

And Target 11 Investigator Rick Earle reports that Abel is already the focus of a Citizen's Review Board investigation.

It stems from an altercation he was involved in with his brother-in-law at the Allegheny County Courthouse last year.

The Review Board accused him of conduct unbecoming of an officer and falsification of records.

His hearing with the board is scheduled to continue next month.

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